Escape device for vessels



March 11 1941. G. L. GRIMES ESCAPE DEVICE FOR VESSELS Filed July 15, 1939 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 March 11, 1941.

G. L. GRIMES ESCAPE DEVICE FOR VESSELS I Filed July 15, 1939 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Mar. 11, 1941 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 8 Claims.

This invention relates to an escape device for vessels, and it is an object of the invention to provide a device of this kind which provides means whereby persons trapped within a submerged vessel may escape therefrom.

It is also an object of the invention to provide a device of this kind which is particularly adapted to be used in connection with a submarine and wherein is employed a life boat adapted to be releasably mounted upon the deck of the vessel and in a manner whereby persons within the vessel may have access to the life boat before the same is released to rise to the water surface.

The invention consists in the details of con- .struction and in the combination and arrangement of the several parts of my improved escape device for vessels whereby certain important advantages are attained and the device rendered simpler, less expensive and otherwise more convenient and advantageous for use, as will be hereinafter more fully set forth.

The novel features of my invention will hereinafter be definitely claimed.

In order that my invention may be'the better understood, I will now proceed to describe the same with reference to the accompanying drawwherein- Figure 1 is a fragmentary View in top plan illustrating an escape device constructed in accordance with an embodiment of my invention and in applied position upon the deck of a submarine;

Figure 2 is an enlarged detailed sectional View taken substantially on the line 2-2 of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is an enlarged detailed sectional view taken substantially on the line 33 of Figure l with the life boat in a second position; 7

Figure 4 is a vertical sectional view taken lengthwise of Figure 1 on the line 4-4;

' Figure 5 is an enlarged fragmentary detailed sectional view taken substantially on the line 5-5 of Figure 1; Figure 6 is an enlarged detailed sectional View taken substantially on the line 6-6 of Figure 1; Figure 7 is a fragmentary longitudinal sectional view taken substantially on the line I- 'I of Figure 6;

Figure 8 is a fragmentary sectional view illustrating in detail the seal connection between the Thatches of the life boat and the vessel when the lifeboat is in locked position upon the deck.

As disclosed in the accompanying drawings, D denotes an upper deck of a submarine or other vessel and upon which isarranged a-plurality of 'Zsills I in parallelism and disposed transversely of the deck D. These sills are in desired spaced relation and are adapted to have rested thereon a life boat B. This life boat B is of such dimen: sions as to provide suflicient space to accommodate a crew or other persons aboard the Vessel. This boat B is also of such form and configuration as to rise to the surface of the water when the boat B is released while the vessel is in submergence.

As is clearly illustrated in the drawings, the 10.-

boat B is of an enclosed type and the floor or deck 2 thereof is relatively heavy to provide a means to substantially eliminate the liability of the boat B, when released from the vessel, capsizing. The boat B has threaded through the 15 floor or deck 2 thereof at substantially the transverse center thereof the longitudinally spaced holding down screwsor bolts 3 also threaded through the intermediate sill l. The upper end of these screws 3 or the end portions thereof 20 Within the boat B are provided with the enlarged heads 4 to provide means to facilitate turning of the screws 3 both when desired to anchor the boat B upon the deck D or when it is desired to free said screws 3 to release the boat.

Rigidly secured to the under surface of the floor or deck 2 at the port side thereof is a beam 5. This beam 5 is of a length substantially coextensive with the length of the boat B and projects outwardly beyond the boat 3 as is clearly 30 indicated in the accompanying drawings. The outer face of the beam 5 is sigmoidal in cross section, as indicated at 6, whereby the lower portion of the beam 5 is provided with an outstanding ledge. At spaced points therealong the 35 face 6 of the beam 5 is provided with the recesses I the bottom wall a of each of which is also sigmoidal and conforming to the curvature of the face 6 proper.

Riveted, as at 8, or otherwise securely fas- 40 tened to the deck 2 is a rail 9. This rail 9 is heavy and disposed along the port side of the deck 2. The upper portion of the rail 9' is formed to provide an inwardly directed ledge ID, the outer face of which is also sigmoidal and on 45 a curvature similar to the face 6 of the beam 5 so that in placing the boat B upon the deck of the submarine, and more particularly on the sills I, the beam 5 will have a rolling contact with the rail 9. is of particular importance and advantage when the boat B is released from the vessel. 1

The sigmoidal face of the ledge ll! of the rail 9 is also provided therealong with recesses ll,

the inner faces of which are also sigmoidal and 55 This rolling contact, however, 50f

on a curvature similar to the sigmoidal face of the ledge III. The recesses I of the beam 5 and the recesses II of the rail 9 are so arranged that when the boat B is mounted upon the deck D the beam 5 and the rail 9 will interlock thus effectively holding the boat B against any movement fore and aft with respect to the deck D.

Rigidly secured to the under surface of the floor or deck 2 of the boat B along the starboard side thereof is a beam I2 having. its outer side face inwardly and downwardly beveled. This beam l2 has its under portion provided therealong with spaced recesses I4. Welded or otherwise rigidly secured to the deck D and extending along the starboard side thereof is a rail IS". The inner top portion of this rail isv provided therealong with a rabbet I6, the bottom wall of which is also provided thereal'o'ng with the re cesses IT. This rabbet I6 together with the recesses II thereof are so formed as to s'nugly'receive the beam l2 ofthe'boat Band the recesses l4 and I! providemeans whereby the beam l2 and the rail I5 also interlock and in a manner to provide additional means to hold the applied boatB against longitudinal shifting movement. By-having the outer face of the beam 2 inwardly beveled and, of course, the coacting face of the rail- 9 on a complemental bevel, it will be'readily understood that the coaction between the beam l2 and the rail I5 will offer no hindrance or obstruction to the upward and lateral rolling movement of the boat when released from the deck D-nor will any hindrance or'obstruction beofiered in the-mounting of the boat B upon the deck D. To further maintain'the boat B in applied position upon the deck D the flooror deck 2 of the boat 3-- along the starboard side thereof has threaded therethrough a plurality of-holding down boltsor screws l8. Eachof these bolts or screws l8 hasits upper end portionextendin'g within'theboat B and said end portions are provided with the enlargedheads I 9' to facilitate the desired operation of these bolts or screwsl8. Each of these screwsor bolts 18 threads-through the beam l2 and into aproperly positioned slot 29 provided inthe rail l5:

Itis to'- be particularly noted that when the boat B is anchored to the deck D throughthe' medium of the hold down bolts or screws 3 and I6 there an open' space between the deck D and the-floor or deck 2 of the boat B int'o which water may readilyfiow. This spacin'g'is' provided by the sills I and is of particular advantage as it assures a-free and quick rising of the boat B whenthe hold down bolts or screwst'and- I8- are released.

Thetop wall 2| of the boat B, as herein disclosed,- is-provided with an entrance or exit opening or hatch 22 adapted to be closed bythe watertight door 23: This door '23 in the present embodiment of my inventionis ofa swinging type and: is maintained in effective closed position by the latch- 24-. This-latch 24 is of a type to be operated either from within or without the boat-B;-

The deck D is'providedat a-desir'edpoint thereorr withan escape: opening" or hatch 25- whi'ch: is closed bya watertight door 26 herein set for-th of a spring. type; This door 26 is effectivelymaintained in closed po'sitionby a latch 21. latch 2'I'ls of" a type to be readily operated from within the vessel or within the opening 'or hat'c'h 25. As is clearly illustrated in Figure 4, this door 26' swings" downwardly into open position:

The upper end of the hatch or opening 25 has disposed therearound a channel 28 in which is received the lower depending portion of a hatchway 29 which provides an entrance into the boat B through the floor or deck 2 thereof.

As is particularly illustrated in Figure 8, suitable packing 30, preferably rubber, is placed within the channel 28 which is penetrated by the lower marginal portion of the hatchway 29 whereby a watertight closure is assured. when the boat B is mounted upon the deck D.

The upper end of the hatchway 29 is closed by .the upwardly swinging watertight door 3| which is normally maintained in effective closed position by the latch 32. This latch 32 is also of a type to be operated either from within the hatchway 29' or'within the boat B.

When the vessel is in submergence and escape therefrom is desired, the door 26 is opened after which the door 3| can be readily released and thrown up into open position; The occupants of the vessel can then readily enter within the'boat- B and when all of the crew or other persons aboard the vessel have been received withinthe boat B, the door 3| is locked in closed-position. The holding screwsor bolts 3 are then released after which the screws or bolts I8 are released. After freeing the boat B from the deck D,. the boat will readily separate fromthe rails 9 and I5 and rise to the surfaceof-thewater; After coming to the surface, the door 23-can be readily opened after releasing the latch 24.

The manner of initially mounting and lockingthe-boat B upon the deck-Dis believedto heapparent from the foregoing description without requiring a detailed explanation.

While I have herein particularly set forth my invention as used in connection with a submarine, it is to be understood that it may be employed with other types of vessels without departing from the general principles thereof.

From the foregoing description it is thought to be obvious that an escape device for vessels constructed in accordance-with my invention is particul'arly'well adapted for use'by reason of the convenience and'facility with which it may be assembled and operated, and it will also-be obvious-that my invention is susceptible ofsome change and modification without departing from the principles and spirit thereof and for this" reason I do not wish to be understood as limiting myself to the precise arrangement and forma. tion of theseveral parts hereinshown in carrying out my invention in practice except ashe-rein'after claimed.

I claim:

1. 'In combihation'with the deck of a vessel having a hatch opening. and means releasable from within the vessel for closing said opening, spaced parallel rails fixed to said deck, a life boat, beams carried by said boatexteriorly thereof and extending. therealong, one: of said beams and "one of theira-ils: being so constructed and-arranged to provide means to allow such beam and rail to interlock up'o'n lateral tilting of the boat for holding the boat to the deck, the second-beam of the deck when the boat is heldv to the" deck of' the vessel; releasable means for closing the hatchway of the boat; said boat having an exit opening, and releasable means for closing said exit opening. 7

'2. In combination, a vessel having a top deck, spaced rails carried by said deck and disposed substantially in parallelism, the inner side face of one of the rails being sigmoidal in cross section to provide an inwardly directed ledge at the upper portion of the rail, an enclosed life boat, beams secured to and extending along the side portions of the boat exteriorly thereof, one of said beams having its outer side face sigmoidal in cross section for coaction with the sigmoidal face of the rail for holding the boat to the deck, means releasable from within the boat for securing the second beam to the second rail, the deck of the vessel having a hatch hole, releasable means for closing said hatch hole, a hatchway carried by the boat registering with the hatch hole of the deck when the boat is mounted upon the deck, releasable means for closing said hatchway, said boat having a normally closed exit.

3. In combination, a vessel having a top deck, spaced rails carried by said deck and disposed substantially in parallelism, the inner side face of one of the rails being sigmoidal in cross section to provide an inwardly directed ledge at the upper portion of the rail, an enclosed life boat, beams secured to and extending along the side portions of the boat exteriorly thereof, one of said beams having its outer side face sigmoidal in cross section for coaction with the sigmoidal face of the rail for holding the boat to the deck, means releasable from within the boat for securing the second beam to the second rail, the deck of the vessel having a hatch hole, releasable means for closing said hatch hole, a hatchway carried by the boat registering with the hatch hole of the deck when the boat is mounted upon the deck, releasable means for substantially in parallelism, the inner side face of one of the rails being sigmoidal in cross section to provide an inwardly directed ledge at the upper portion of the rail, an enclosed life boat, beams secured to and extending along the side portions of the boat exteriorly thereof, one of said beams having its outer side face sigmoidal in cross section for coaction with the sigmoidal face of the rail for holding the boat to the deck, means releasable from within the boat for securing the second beam to the second rail, the deck of the vessel having a hatch hole, releasable means for closing said hatch hole, a hatchway carried by the boat registering with the hatch hole of the deck when the boat is mounted upon the deck, releasable means for closing said hatchway, said boat having a nor mally closedexit, the second named rail and beam being provided with spaced recesses, said recesses being so arranged to provide means to permit such rail and beam to interlock to hold the boat against fore and aft movement.

5. In combination with the deck of a vessel having a hatch opening and means releasable from within the vessel for closing said opening, spaced elongated rails fixed to said deck, a life boat, spaced beams extending along said boat exteriorly thereof, one of the rails having an inwardly directed ledge along the upper portion thereof, one of the beams having an outwardly directed ledge extending along the lower portion thereof, the ledge of the beam engaging under the ledge of the rail upon lateral tilting of the boat, the second beam of the boat engaging the second rail from above as the boat is laterally tilted to engage the ledge of the first named beam under the ledge of the first named rail, means operable from within the boat for releasably holding the boat to the rails, a hatchway carried by the boat registering with the hatch opening of the deck when the boat is held to the rails, releasable means for closing the hatchway of the boat, said boat having an exit opening, and releasable means for closing said exit opening.

6. In combination with the deck of a vessel having a hatch opening and means releasable from within the vessel for closing said opening, spaced elongated nails fixed to said deck, a life boat, spaced beams extending along said boat exteriorly thereof, one of the rails having an inwardly directed ledge extending along the upper portion thereof, one of the beams having an outwardly directed ledge extending along the lower portion thereof, the ledge of the beam engaging under the ledge of the rail upon lateral tilting of the boat, the second beam of the boat engaging the second rail from above as the boat is laterally tilted to engage the ledge of the first named beam under the ledge of the first named nail, means operable from within the boat for releasably holding the boat to the rails, a hatchway carried by the boat registering with the hatch opening of the deck when the boat is held to the rails, releasable means for closing the hatchway of the boat, said boat having an exit opening, releasable means for closing said exit opening, and coacting means carried by the rails and beams for holding the boat against movement along the nails.

7. In combination with the deck of a vessel having a hatch opening and means releasable;

from within the vessel for closing said opening, spaced elongated rails fixed to said deck, a life boat, spaced beams extending along said boat exteriorly thereof, one of the rails having an inwardly directed ledge along the upper portion thereof, one of the beams having an outwardly directed ledge extending along the lower portion thereof, the ledge of the beam engaging under the ledge of the rail upon lateral tilting of the boat, the second beam of the boat engaging the second rail from above as the boat is laterally tilted to engage the ledge of the first named beam under the ledge of the first named rail, means operable from within the boat for releasably holding the boat to the nails, a hatchway carried by the boat registering with the hatch opening of the deck when the boat is held to the rails, releasable means for closing the hatchway of the boat, said boat having an exit opening, and releasable means for closing said exit opening, the second rail being provided I having a hatch opening and means releasablefrom within the vessel for closing said opening, spaced elongated rails fixed to said deck, a life boat, spaced beams extending along said boat exteriorly thereof, one 012 therrails. havingqan inwardly directed ledge, along the upper: portion thereof, one of the beams having. an outwardly directed ledge extending. along the lower'portion thereof, the ledge of the beam. engaging under the ledge of the rail upon. lateral tilting of the boat, the second beam of the boat engaging the second nail. from above as the boat is laterally tilted to engage the ledge of the first named beam under the ledge of the first named rail, means operable from within. the boat for releasably holding; the boat to the rails,. a 'hatchway carried by the boat registering with the hatch opening of. the deckrwhenqthe-boat is heldto the rails, releasable means for closing the hatchway of: the; boat, said boat having an exit opening, and releasable means for closing said.

exit. opening, the second rail being provided with-a nabbet along its inner upper portion, the second beamof theboat snugly engaging within said rabbet when the boat is held to the rails, the inner side wall of the rabbet being upwardly and outwardly beveled to prevent obstruction to 10 the lateral tilting movement of the boat.

GEORGE L. GRIMIE'S. 

